municipal bankruptcy

A couple of years ago, billionaire super-investor Warren Buffett told Congress a "terrible problem" with U.S. municipal bonds was on the horizon. Now, Buffett is back, and warning that the crisis is closer than ever.

Last month, Harrisburg, Pa., tried to throw in the financial towel and declare Chapter 9, but a judge threw out the bankruptcy petition. That doesn't mean the city is magically healthy again, though, and it's not the only municipality in similar straits. Here's why it matters to the rest of the country.

Jefferson County, Alabama's, sewer debt crisis is coming to a close. Commissioners voted Friday on a deal framework that will let it restructure and partially write off $3.14 billion debt, saving the county from filing for Chapter 9 in what would have been the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

U.S. municipalities have filed five bankruptcies this year, and -- next week -- Jefferson County, Ala., could make a sixth. Could city and county defaults shake the muni-bond market just as investors are fleeing to it amid stock-market declines?